Planning a long weekend March 2001. Need information on what to do in Charleston, SC.
Also need info on restraunts, lodging, and weather.

Charleston is awesome--it may still be a little chilly (50s) in March though. To get the experience you need to stay downtown, probably somewhere on Meeting Street. I prefer the Mills House. Its an old classical hotel in the heart of downtown near the Market. The number is 843-577-2400. It will run about $200/night.

Things to do: horse-drawn carriage tour, aquarium (brand new), see the Civil War submarine, the Hunley (it was just brought out of the water last year), go see Fort Sumter.

Joe and Daniel,

The Hunley research people plan to retrieve the bodies in late January, so it might not be availavle for tours. (About 10-12 miles north of downtown). Check out Hunley.org for info. Next door to the aquarium is an IMAX theater. If you have never been to one, it is worth checking out.

If $200 per night for a hotel is out of your budget, there are many price levels for hotels in downtown Charleston. Try to stay downtown and use the DASH tourist trolley.

There is a lot of wind down in the city, so bring a jacket that can block the wind.

There are also several plantations just outside the city you could tour. If your trip is toward the end of the month, the azaleas should be blooming.

March is great time to visit Charleston! There's a House and Garden Festival going on in March, you might check out histoiccharleston.org for details. The Elliott House Inn is romantic and nicely priced ($150 or so). The Rutledge Victorian Inn is suppose to have a very nice carriage house but I believe they have at least a 2 night minimum...and it's around $200-$300 per night. Weather should be nice, maybe a bit chilly at night. Restaurants: 82 Queen for private, intimate dinner (great courtyard if the weather is nice)and Anson's is always a good bet. Entrees are usually around $20 each...cashew crusted grouper is the best! Magnolias is good choice as well. Definitely take a carriage ride and bring along a snack! I vote to skip the Acquarium...We weren't that impressed especially after visiting the Monterrey Bay Acquarium. Shops on King Street are terrific so bring spending money!

I wrote a travelogue on Charleston on my Web site, with lots of photos, at oneeyed.homestead.com. Most of the site is still under construction, but this part is fairly complete.